Define "rectification" in the context of electrical circuits.

Rectification refers to the process of converting alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). This transformation is crucial in electrical circuits because many devices and applications require DC for operation, such as batteries, certain electronic circuits, and various types of motors.

In the rectification process, diodes are typically employed due to their ability to allow current to flow in one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction. This results in a waveform that has unidirectional flow, effectively converting the AC waveform into a DC waveform. Rectification can be accomplished using different types of circuits, including half-wave and full-wave rectifiers, which determine the efficiency and output characteristics of the conversion.

The other options relate to different processes within electrical engineering but do not accurately define rectification. For instance, increasing voltage output pertains to step-up transformers rather than rectification, while converting DC to AC describes the process of inversion. Storing electrical energy relates to capacitors or batteries instead of rectifying currents. Understanding these distinctions emphasizes the specific role rectification plays in electrical engineering and circuit design.